In their rush to be number one to market with new products, Chinese factories are often the cause of serious leaks. But in this instance, it isn’t a phone accessory maker leaking the design of the new iPhone, but a carbon frame maker confirming the Shimano EP8 motor.

2020 hasn’t been a great year for many reasons, and for bicycle makers, it has been especially tricky. The COVID 19 pandemic meant press releases, launches and events have all had to be pushed back, and brands who had already planned to release bike with new components had to reschedule so as not to spill the beans.

It’s inevitable then that a few leaks have surfaced, and none more frequent than the Shimano EP8 motor. The EP8 is Shimano’s next-generation eBike motor and though unreleased has shown up in photos, on specification sheets and in patent documents.

This latest confirmation comes from Chinese frame manufacturer Light Carbon who has added a carbon fibre, full-suspension eMTB frame to its catalogue that is designed to accept the Shimano EP8 motor.

This 27.5 plus enduro frameset is available for OEM only and is made of high modulus Today T700 carbon fibre. Specifications for the frame reveal it has 150mm of rear suspension and is designed for the Shimano BTE8036 630Wh battery.

Specifications also reveal that the frame is designed to fit either the Shimano STEPS E8000 motor or the unreleased Shimano EP8 motor, confirming once again that the new Shimano drivetrain will use the same mounting and bolt position as the current model.

Light Carbon hasn’t listed specifications of the EP8, but images of the frame suggest that the Shimano EP8 will be more compact than the E8000. An integrated bash guard on the frame sits level with the downtube where the E8000 would protrude.

Shimano hasn’t officially launched the EP8 yet, but there is plenty of information about the new motor system in our Shimano EP8 FAQ here.